Welcome to IDEC

Welcome to the Imagery Data Extraction Collaboration (IDEC) website. IDEC is a virtual collaborative research e-workspace dedicated to the study and interpretation of microscopy (e.g. scanning electron microscopy or SEM) images of microorganisms in various environments.

This site is designed to allow scientists from numerous disciplines, secondary and college level students and other interested parties to meet, analyze, annotate and engage in knowledge discovery using interesting features found in the SEM images displayed. Images cover fields include karst science, geomicrobiology, astrobiology, mycology, general geology and biology.

While studying these images in our own lab, we have found that each person sees something a little different. Where a geologist may see rocks, a biologist may see microbes, while a student may see only a ribbon-like feature, etc. Each of these interpretations is useful and important in building a data set of merging ideas that may lead to important scientific discoveries. We have already seen breakthroughs involving “citizen scientists” on the Internet resulting in unexpected and major discoveries. In addition, anyone can join to just observe or participate in the scientific process of cutting-edge research and to meet major scientists in these areas of study.

Registered user can scroll through photo albums of SEM images designed around a central theme or question. Each image can be annotated or commented on, describing the observer’s conclusions or insights. Participants may also send opinions to the questions posted or just add what they think is interesting about and image. Users can participate in forums or blogs where users are discussing topics such as current trends and questions in that area of science, interesting discoveries and debates about interpretations of the data. Finally, any recent relevant articles scientific articles, newspaper articles and government reports are displayed in the Feed Aggregator as well as links to other portal websites, allowing users to get the latest information on microscopy, geology, microbiology, astrobiology and geomicrobiology. This makes the IDEC an excellent research and experimental resource for any students, teachers and community groups.

To register, please click on the “Create a new account” button on the left side of the front page. You will then be asked to enter your email address, a user name and a password. Membership is free and all information remains private. Users will not receive emails unless you request a new password. After entering this information, you will immediately be transferred into the IDEC workspace.

Please feel free to join the IDEC and help us increase the scientific knowledge of these images.